Something’s cooking at the library

Children get hands-on lessons in kitchen skills, nutrition

Scott Cousins, scousins@s24532.p831.sites.pressdns.com

Published
10:15 pm CDT, Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Julie Fulton of the University of Illinois Extension in Collinsville shows children how to prepare pumpkin pancakes Tuesday at the Wood River Public Library. Fulton was teaching a five-week class called Illinois Junior Chefs, which was attended by about a dozen children 6 to 12 years old. less

Julie Fulton of the University of Illinois Extension in Collinsville shows children how to prepare pumpkin pancakes Tuesday at the Wood River Public Library. Fulton was teaching a five-week class called ... more

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Julie Fulton of the University of Illinois Extension in Collinsville shows children how to prepare pumpkin pancakes Tuesday at the Wood River Public Library. Fulton was teaching a five-week class called Illinois Junior Chefs, which was attended by about a dozen children 6 to 12 years old. less

Julie Fulton of the University of Illinois Extension in Collinsville shows children how to prepare pumpkin pancakes Tuesday at the Wood River Public Library. Fulton was teaching a five-week class called ... more

Something’s cooking at the library

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WOOD RIVER — Elisabeth Preston doesn’t do a lot in the kitchen, but after a few lessons as part of the Illinois Junior Chefs program, she wants to.

Elisabeth, 8, was one of about a dozen children between 6 and 12 years old taking part in the after-school class at the Wood River Public Library.

“I really like it and it’s really fun,” she said. “It’s a place to make new friends and learn how to cook.”

On Tuesday, the class went from examining grains to putting together pumpkin pancakes they ate with butter and syrup.

“The goal is to teach them nutrition,” said the instructor, Julie Fulton of the University of Illinois Extension, “to make sure they’re learning about MyPlate and making wise decisions.”

MyPlate is the current nutrition guide by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and replaced various food pyramids several years ago. It is based on balancing meals with fruits and vegetables, grains, dairy and protein.

“We have a five-lesson program, and each lesson focuses on one area of MyPlate,” Fulton said.

This week’s lesson on grains allowed students to also sample various crackers and grain-based snacks, while the first week of class was an overview, taking in subjects like kitchen safety and hand-washing.

“Next week we’re making a vegetable quesadilla, where they can learn to use chopping knife skills,” Fulton said.

After that will be lessons on fruits, then dairy and protein.

This is the second such program at the library, according to Youth Services Manager Lindsey Herron. A similar program was held over the summer, and another is scheduled for early next year.

Herron said the cooking programs are very popular.

“It filled up in a matter of weeks,” she said of the Junior Chef program. “We’ve got 25 kids on the wait list, and another one planned for January.”

She said that in addition to teaching cooking skills and nutrition, the class encourages children to come to the library.

“If they get to be more comfortable, they’ll come to other programs and get to know staff, and maybe then find a love of reading,” she said.

After sampling the crackers and snacks, the children started working on the pancakes.

“So far, we’ve just been pouring, stirring and measuring,” Elisabeth said. “It’s kind of important so you know how much you really need. If you put too much in it, it would not taste good.”

Jada Dupy, 10, said she has been learning a lot as well.

“To wash your hands is good, and measuring stuff,” she said while waiting for her turn to stir the pancake batter.

For information about MyPlate, visit choosemyplate.gov. For information about extension programs, call the Collinsville office at 618-344-4230. For information about library programs, call 618-254-4832 or visit woodriverlibrary.org.